Reviews
PrideArts: A New Brain
Inspired by true events, A New Brain takes us through one man's diagnosis of a brain illness that requires surgery. Though dealing with the looking surgery, the musical feels like a musical episode of a TV show where everyone bursts out into song at a moments notice.
American Players Theatre: Tribes
Unpacking a chaotic, noisy family, Tribes takes us through the lives of a son born deaf into a family of hearing who then meets someone who introduces him to the deaf community. Packing in many plot points and subtopics, we see the different dynamics of this family and within the deaf community itself.
44 The Musical
44 The Musical, now playing at the Studebaker Theatre, shows us the Obama presidency through the eyes of Joe Biden in a campy new musical.
American Players Theatre: Anna In The Tropics
Set in hot and humid Florida, a Cuban family relishes in their traditions inside the family owned cigar factory. They each explore their individual relationships - with each other, with their partners, and outside their familial ties as well.
Paramount Theatre: True West
Paramount Theatre presents Sam Shepard’s True West now through August 31, 2025. Two estranged brothers face off in their mother’s home as they try to one up each other while simultaneously envying each other.
Invictus Theatre: Angels In America
Invictus Theatre Company presents Angels in America: Part One and Two now through September 7, 2025. Set in a decaying 1980s New York, we follow the lives of different gay men during the height of the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
Chicago Magic Lounge: Ryan Plunkett Old Fashioned Magic
Chicago Magic Lounge presents Ryan Plunkeett’s Old Fashioned Magic as the newest Wednesday mainstage act now through September 24, 2025. Dressed in a classic blue suit, he performs illusions all alluding back to old fashioned tricks and cocktails.
American Players Theatre: Picnic
American Players Theatre presents Picnic now through September 13, 2025. Going deeper than the standard tropes of the time, the actor’s dig to find deeper motivations for their characters against a perfect setting on a late summer evening.
American Players Theatre: The Death of Chuck Brown
American Players Theatre presents The Death of Chuck Brown now through September 25, 2025. The gentrification of DC’s Chocolate City causes conflicts for barbershop owner Kofi as he worries about the changing neighborhood.
American Players Theatre: A Midsummer Night’s Dream
American Players Theatre presents A Midsummer Night’s Dream, now through October 5, 2025. Playing with opposites in their couples and adding a surprise duo, this production is sure to please fans of both this play and classic Shakespeare deliveries.
American Players Theatre: Fallen Angels
American Players Theatre presents Fallen Angels by Noël Coward, now through October 3, 2025. The perfect show for a night out with friends who enjoy bubbly and over the top comedies as two friends await the arrival of their past lover.
American Players Theatre: ‘ART’
American Players Theatre presents ‘ART’ now through September 28, 2025. What starts as an argument about a painting turns into a larger, philosophical questioning for three friends.
Goodman Theatre: The Color Purple
Goodman Theatre presents The Color Purple now through August 3, 2025. Simply staged and focusing on the beautiful score and growth of these characters, Goodman’s production delivers an emotional performance that shows the depth of these characters.
Chicago Shakespeare Theater: 42 Balloons
Chicago Shakespeare Theater presents the pre-Broadway premiere of 42 Balloons. Based on the epic true story from 1982 of one man’s flight into the air using only 42 weather balloons tied to a lawn chair from Sears. This new musical has everything from catchy songs to a feel good, hopeful message at the end.
Blank Theatre Company: Sweet Charity Review
Blank Theatre Company presents Sweet Charity now through June 8, 2025. Filled with fun costumes, bright set design, and a stellar lead as Charity Love Valentine, this production is a great fit for those who love an optimistic love story with Bob Fosse inspired choreography.
Paramount Theatre: Cats Review
Paramount Theatre presents Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cats now through June 15, 2025. Set at the circus, each cat has their own featured act underneath the big top but still keeps the feel of the original spirit of the show with the costume and makeup designs.
Redtwist Theatre: Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus Revew
Redtwist Theatre presents Gary: A Sequel to Titus Andronicus now through June 1, 2025. In the aftermath of the final bloodbath, who is left to clean up the mess left by the royals? Enter Janice and newly promoted Gary who question the societal rules that created this ultimate mess.
Chicago Magic Lounge: Diary of a Black Illusionist Review
The Chicago Magic Lounge presents Diary of a Black Illusionist now playing as the Wednesday night act. Walter King Jr. aka The Spellbinder blows audience member’s minds with his illusions set against some funky, grooving music.
Chicago Shakespeare Theater: Hymn Review
Chicago Shakespeare Theater presents Hymn now through May 25, 2025. Two men find out they share a father late in their lives, but its never too late to form a friendship. We’re taken on a journey of brotherhood as they bound over boxing, music, and family life.